Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred gelding Im The Black Flash ran an impressive trial for the rich WA Derby in a fortnight when he outclassed the opposition in the 2130m Cowden The Insurance Brokers Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“It was a super run, and he could win a race like the Derby if he drew to lob three or four back on the fence, if they went silly,” said reinsman Gary Hall Jnr. “He has the speed and ability to win. The way he went tonight was the Black Flash we know.”
Hall restrained Im The Black Flash (the $1.50 favourite) from out wide at barrier seven, and Vintage Blu took the lead after 500m. Meanwhile, Fess Up, the $3.80 second favourite, dashed forward from his back line draw to move to the breeze in the first lap.
Im The Black Flash was tenth with 900m to travel before he began a powerful three-wide burst. Fess Up got his nose in front 600m from home but was unable to defy Im The Black Flash, who took the lead with 520m to travel and won by just under two lengths from five-year-old Bellezza Nera, a $71 outsider who followed the run of the winner in the final circuit. Fess Up was a half-head away in third place.
Im The Black Flash, a gelding by Bettors Delight trained by Gary Hall Snr, has earned $97,905 from seven wins and three placings from 16 starts. He was placed once from two New Zealand starts before arriving in WA.